Conference taveng::bagels

    Dave,
    
    I'm a little confused by your comment
    
>                                                      In fact, it is so
>low-keyed that I completely forgot the hag should be observed 2 days.
    
    The three/four(*) pilgrimage festivals are all observed in essentially the
    same way.  In Israel only one day is observed (except for visitors),
    while outside of Israel, Yom Tov Sheni is recognized by the Orthodox and
    Conservative movements (and actually observed by many people affiliated
    with them).  The Reform movement only recognizes one day, the
    Reconstructionists are mixed, and most people who are unaffiliated
    ignore everything but the Pesach seder.
    
    					Aaron
    
    (* depending how you count Shemini Atzeret.  There are some who think
    that it has the same relation to Sukkot that Shavuot has to Pesach, but
    that for practical reasons--the difficulty of traveling in the
    winter--it was celebrated contiguously.)

re .1: 

(first the nit)

>   In Israel only one day is observed (except for visitors),
>   while outside of Israel, Yom Tov Sheni is recognized by the Orthodox and
>   Conservative movements (and actually observed by many people affiliated
>   with them).

There is actually a wide range of opinion in Orthodox rabbinic circles as to 
what visiors to Israel should do on Yom Tov Sheni.  Some hold they should keep
it as a normal Yom Tov, some say they need not keep it it all, while other hold 
that they should only keep a "half" a day - i.e. the negative precepts are kept
(no work) but the positive ones (like special Yom Tov praying) are not.

(now the note)

>   There are some who think that it (Shemini Atzeret)
>   has the same relation to Sukkot that Shavuot has to Pesach, but
>   that for practical reasons--the difficulty of traveling in the
>   winter--it was celebrated contiguously.

The Talmud calls Shavuot "Atzeret shel Pesach" (the conclusion of Pesach).  
This term arose from, among other things, a controversy with the Tzedukim 
(Saducees) about the correct date for Shavuot.  The Torah (Vayikra 23) fixes the
Omer sacrafice (the first grains harvested) on the "Macharat HaShabbat" - The 
Day After the Sabbath, and Shavuot seven weeks later.  The Rabbis had an oral
tradition that the "shabbat" refers the the first day of Pesach (which is 
discussed in the previous paragraph in the Torah.  The Tzedukim took "shabbat"
literally, and held that the Omer should be brought on the sunday the shabbat 
in Pesach.  Thus, according to the Tzedukim, Shavuot would always come out on a 
Sunday, regardless of the day of the week that Pesach fell.

In order to emphasize the connection between Pesach and Shavuot, the Rabbis 
started calling Shavuot "Atzeret"

I've never heard anyhting on the connection between Shavuot and Shemini Atzeret.
Please elaborate.

Louuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
only 4 weeks 3 days left till my (gulp!) wedding...

    Shavout has always been a relatively "forgotten" holiday for
    non-traditional Jews.  When I became observant, I was suprised to find
    out about it and its importance.  I look forward to the all-night study
    sessions (and the cheese cake).
    
    One of the problems for the general Jewish population is that Shavouth 
    (like Sukkot) are not "recognized" by the non-Jewish world because they
    have no similar holidays around the same time.  Xians do have
    "pentatcost" but there are no "Happy Pentacost" Cards so it remains a
    purely religious event--not a commercial frolic.
    
    Also--the basis of Shavuoth is the receiving of the Law by the B'nai
    Yisroel.  It is the basis of our peoplehood and mission. That's hard to
    explain to the non-Jewish world. That's hard to commercialize!!  Though 
    some entreprenure might make blintz shaped balloons and have Spinach 
    Lasagna receipe contests :^)
    
    Enough ramblings... have a good Shabbos.
    
    AV

According to a calendar I have, the one or two days of Shavuot (depending on
how you celebrate it) are on June 6th & 7th this year - a mere 9 or 10 days
away.  I just read about it this morning in Mark Strassfeld's book on Jewish 
Holidays, and it seems that it should be a very significant holiday, when
G-d came down to Mt Sinai to give the law to the people, and when the first
fruits of the wheat harvest, but also of one's heart and talents are brought
before G-d.  What will everyone be doing to celebrate it this year ?  From the
sounds of the notes in this topic and in 710, it sounds like it can slip by 
without too much notice ?

Leslie

My temple, Beth El in Sudbury, is one of the few in the area that holds
an all-night study session. The subject this year is King David. Come the
evening of June 5th. Bring sleeping equipment if you plan to take a nap.
A pot-luck breakfast will be served. Bring refreshments if you care to donate.
You don't have to be Jewish to attend.

Dave

    I'm writing this reply so that people will be reminded of the upcoming
    Shavuot holiday which starts this Tuesday evening (May 25).  
    
    The giving of the Torah to B'nai Yisroel was what made us a people with
    a unique mission.  I think it is unfortunate that many American Jews do
    not commemorate this event.  With all the emphasis this past month on
    the horrors and terrors of WWII Europe and the memorialization of the
    Holocaust, I wish that more Jews would celebrate the beauty and joy
    of our heritage.
    
    Have a Happy Shavuot.
    
    __Av

    One of the problems with Shavuot is that it doesn't have the kind of
    striking symbolism that we find associated with the other Hagim.  The
    problem is that Torah is a pervasive theme in all Jewish endeavors, so
    having a holiday devoted to it does not differentiate it sufficiently
    to get attention.  (Blintzes don't really have monumental significance.)
    
    Aaron

    Aaron,
    
    There is a symbolism to Shavuot that I find striking - I'm sure you're
    aware of it.
    
    The picture that strikes me is that of G-d Himself carving with His own
    finger the covenant that binds His chosen people to Himself.  That
    covenant is the Ketubah that His beloved can pour over and revel in,
    knowing He is faithful to His promises.  
    
    And just like in any exchange of vows, the Bridegroom made His promises
    known, and the bride responded..."na'aseh v'nishma".
    
    This may be a tad off some interpretations of the Holy Day ;-), but
    it's striking to me....
    
    FWIW,
    
    Steve

    Steve,
    
    There certainly is symbolism associated with Shavuot.  I was merely
    trying to make the point (which is not original with me) that the
    symbolism doesn't have wide appeal.  The idea of freedom, that is so
    central to Pesach, appeals to Jews (and non-Jews) of all kinds.
    Shavuot doesn't have that kind of general appeal, and is probably
    becoming one of the least-observed (*) of the Hagim.  Most Jews these
    days are not agriculturists, so we've lost that connection, and most
    Jews are not Biblical literalists, so the story of the Theophany has
    does not have the same meaning for them that it once had for our
    forebears.  (The last major innovation that I know of was the
    introduction of the "Tikkun L'eil Shavuot" by the medieval kabbalists,
    and that, interestingly enough, is making a modest comeback among
    liberal Jews.)
    
    Maybe we can come up with something :^)
    
    Aaron
    
    (* I, however, will be out tomorrow, observing it.)